How might we harness the power of digital tools to support personalized learning and prepare our students for the jobs of the 21st century?

How many math teachers have personally observed student frustration or disengagement in their classroom because the lesson is either too challenging or not challenging enough? In a diverse classroom where abilities are varied, a “one size fits all” prescription is not going to remedy the fact that students are not mastering the content and are thus being left behind. As educators, we know that there is no way we can create 30+ individualized lesson plans per class or provide our students with the amount of one-on-one support they truly deserve within the confines of a school day.That begs the question, what is the remedy?

Personalized learning can help differentiate learning for ALL by allowing for remediation for those who are falling behind as well as provide challenge and opportunities to deepen learning for those who are bored and not being challenged enough. Learning becomes student-centered and progresses at each individual's pace--anytime and anywhere. With the use of digital tools, personalized learning can provide the individualized support students need in developing critical thinking skills and gaining content mastery. It is time for educators to harness the power of digital tools to prepare students for the 21st century and help close the achievement gap.

Your Journey. Your Pace.

Teachers, are you tired of falling behind the cursed pacing guide? Are you rushing forward in an effort to catch up only to realize that you are leaving your students behind? As educators we are tasked with preparing our students to succeed in the 21st century. That means preparing our students to become autonomous, creative and critical thinkers. That begs the question, where is the U.S. in terms of preparing their students for this outcome?

According to the data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2015, 67% of our eighth grade students are NOTperforming at a proficient level in mathematics, meaning approximately 6 out of every 10 students are being left behind. Similarly, the data from the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study, 2015 (seen table below), only 10%of our nation’s eighth grade students demonstrated the ability to use critical thinking.

The low proficiency rates should come to educators as no surprise. For centuries now education has been defined by the classroom--a board, desks, and books, where learning begins and ends when the bell rings. For hundreds of years now we have taught all of our students in pretty much the exact same way.

The world has changed and what it means to be ready to succeed in the future has also changed. So, it follows that our model of learning must also change. We need to re-imagine education so it works for all students, especially for those for whom the current system is not working. The days in which some students excel and others get by are gone. We need all our students to excel.

My capstone explore how personalized learning can be used to differentiate and individualize learning for all students by harnessing digital tools. With personalized learning, learning does not only happen within the walls of the classroom and it does not end with the school bell. Learning happens ANYTIME and ANYWHERE. Students work towards mastery learning at their pace while gaining confidence and ownership over their learning.

Explore my capstone to find out how to harness the power of digital tools to support personalized learning and prepare your students for the future. SO, are YOU teaching for the future or are you teaching for the past?

See the LINKS below to explore:

Learn More Page for lessons, tutorials, and more

Round 1 Research Paperon developing critical thinking

Round 2 Research on personalized learning

CLICK here for Learn More Page.

CLICKhere for Round 1 Research Paper.

CLICK here for Round 2 Research Results.

CLICK on the video above for a brief overview on how personalized learning can help all students excel in the mathematics classroom.